EQUINE DENTISTY - FAQS
Why do we need to rasp horse's teeth?
The horse's upper jaw is wider than its lower. As the teeth wear the upper teeth get sharp edges on the outside and the lower teeth get sharp edges on the inside. The can cause discomfort or even damage to the cheeks and tongue.
Regular rasping of these edges prevents damage and provides comfort
How often does dentistry need to be done?
Every horse is different. Different horses are on different diets and different pastures. The rate and wear of a particular horse's teeth is related to it's age, genetics. diet and conformation. Dentists will assess this and give an appropriate dental program for each horse. For most horses under 10 years six monthly visits are recommened and for those over ten, every year is usually OK. When a horse ages, dental disease is more common so older horses may need six monthly checks. If your horse has six monthly checks the dentist does not have to remove large amounts of tooth and this keeps a more natural and functional shape to the teeth. Some horses need frequent attention because they have specific problems or problems likely to occur without regular maintentance eg. horse with missing or extracted teeth and older horses
What age do you start to look at horse's teeth?
Foals shold be checked before twelve weeks to assess for conformational problems or palatal problems eg. Parrot mouth.
These can be corrected in young horses.
They should be checked at one and two years and then depending on their use every six or twelve months after that. It must be remembered that horses are teething from two to four years. This is a natural process but it can make them 'mouthy' just at the time when we are teaching them about bits and bridles. A good dentist can help the young horse through this difficult time by keeping the mouth comfortable.
As with humans many horses do not have perfect mouths. Because horse's teeth continually wear and erupt, their dentition is dynamic and constantly changing. Small abnormalities can be treated early to maintain a balanced, functional and long lived mouth. It is the skill of the equine dentist to spot changes early and prevent serious overgrowths and displacements. Any overgrown teeth or displaced teeth can cause discomfort to the horse when eating or when ridden or driven. This is why regular dental examinations and correction are very important for the long term health of your horse as well as for its immediate comfort. We aim for balance in our riding disciplines. Giving the horse an even balanced mouth can only help.
